CONNECT Telecom in Belfast has acquired the Aberdeen-based Vodafone partner Coltel in a multi-million-pound deal, while at the same time has purchased Nortech in Carlisle for a smaller undisclosed sum.
As the only Vodafone Total communications partner in both Northern Ireland and Scotland, the double acquisition presents Connect with north to south coverage across Scotland and the north west of England.
And it boosts Connect's total connections to more than 30,000, making it a significant player in the UK's telecoms sector.
Coltel’s Vodafone base will now be managed in partnership with Connect Telecom, which provides customers with access to additional Vodafone products, such as the award winning One Net Business.
The acquisition will create 15 additional jobs across the next two years, adding to the 50 employees currently with Coltel.
Neil Collie, managing director at Coltel, will join the senior management team at Connect Telecom and will continue to lead Coltel’s Scottish operations.
Connect Telecom - which has trebled in size in terms of customers and connections since November 2015 - has also acquired the Vodafone base of Nortech Communications (previously part of the Atlas Group).
The acquisitions now see Connect Telecom with a presence right across Scotland with offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow as well as Carlisle and Belfast.
Connect Telecom, which has offices in Belfast and the Strathclyde Business Park in Bellshill, had this latest investment for growth funded by Danske Bank.
Managing director Scott Ritchie said: “We're delighted to expand our presence in the Scottish market through the acquisition of Coltel and the north west English market through Nortech Communications Vodafone base.
“Coltel will continue to operate as Coltel Limited and I look forward to working with Neil and the extended team as we aim to grow the business whilst maintaining consistency and stability of service and support to customers who will now receive more choice than ever before.
“As a Vodafone Total Communications Partner, our relationship with Vodafone is stronger than ever and ensures our customers have faster and more efficient access to the latest communications solutions across fixed line, mobile, converged and cloud technology.
“Our increased presence within the UK telecoms market means more business customers than ever before in the region will benefit from Connect Telecom’s ability to deliver not only the best value, but also the very latest technology and communications solutions as they emerge.
Having operated in Aberdeen for 25 years, Coltel has unrivalled knowledge of the local market, and coupled with Connect Telecom’s UK and Ireland-wide expertise, the acquisition is seen as presenting an exciting opportunity for the business-to-business telecoms market across huge swathes of Britain and Ireland.
Ian Beatty, business acquisition manager at Danske Bank, described Connect Telecom as "a prime example of the type of trading businesses we are is keen to support".
He added: “The company has a strong track record of working with some of the biggest names in the telecoms sector and we are delighted to be able to provide them with further funding to expand the business.”
